Page 22 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“Dad, trust me. You know how much the house means to me, to Mom. I’ll keep her vision alive.”

“Anything built on that property will be a God-awful monstrosity. Out of towners always have big plans that don’t match the character of the community we’ve built.”

“We can’t fight the town council on this one. They’re already starting to ask questions about your health. If you fight them on this, they’ll only look more closely and see you aren’t well.”

“I told you I’ll be back next week.”

“Dad, trust me.” I loop my arm through his. “I can handle this. ”

“Tradition is what’s important. Those are our roots.”

“That’s why I’m involved in the project. I will make sure our traditions are protected. That they are cherished. I’m giving the brothers Mom’s research, so the house will be restored the way she would have wanted it to be.”

“Burn those plans, that’s all they’re good for.” Dad’s wheezing intensifies with every step. “If Prince is anything like his father, he won’t like being told what to do. He won’t listen to you.”

“He already has.” I tell him about my trip to the hotel and the details of our meeting with Collin and Archer.

Dad’s gaze runs from the tip of my nose down to my shoes and back up. “Watch yourself around strange men.”

“I’ll be fine.” It’s not like I’m ten years old and Landon can destroy my confidence again. I know better. I’m stronger. I’ll fight him every step of the way if I have to. “Let’s get you home. I’ll make chicken and broccoli.”

He grimaces but lets me guide him as we slowly walk back to the house.

By the time we get home, he practically collapses into his chair. We didn’t even cover a quarter of a mile. I shouldn’t have brought up Landon’s project when I did. I should have waited until we were home and he was resting.

I hoped the fresh air would keep him calm. I was wrong. I’ll have to navigate Dad’s temper and frustrations more delicately as the renovations progress, so I don’t send him back to the hospital with another heart attack.

Dad’s strength is gone. He’s not improving. More likely than not, he will never sit in the mayor’s chair at Town Hall again.

How do I convince him to finally retire and take care of himself instead of worrying about the town? How do I convince him to move on and let me take over? How do I convince him renovating the estate is what’s best for Rainwater Bay?

Chapter 7

Landon

Walking into Reeves Construction feels like I’ve entered an upscale Ikea showroom, except custom and luxurious. Each space has a different vibe and highlights the finishes and aesthetics the company might bring to a project. I especially love the diagonal hardwood floors in the conference room and the floor-to-ceiling frameless windows that overlook Olympic National Park.

Collin called this morning and said the site plan draft is ready. If I like what I see, we’ll sign a contract that makes Reeves Construction the official contractor for the Reeves Estate restoration.

We’ll see if Collin and Archer are as good as Zoe thinks they are.

I’m still not sure about the Reeves brothers. Are they really the team I want to head up this project? Zoe made quite a convincing argument when we were at the house, but a week later I realize she did all the talking and they didn’t seem as excited as I need them to be about the project. Today we need to remedy that if I’m going to partner with them.

Architectural drawings of the house and the site map of the entire estate dominate the conference room table. Next to an open laptop, Archer sits at the head of the table stirring a cup of black coffee and does half a wave when their secretary shows me through the door.

Collin greets me, then taps the blueprint. “These are based on archival copies Zoe provided. There have been renovations since they were drawn, but they give us a good place to start brainstorming exactly what our project will entail.”

Our?I appreciate him taking ownership over the process, but we’re jumping the gun a bit. “Like we discussed before, we’ll start with ten cabins spread around the property. The north wing will be reserved for my family, with distinct separation between guest spaces and private spaces. No guest rooms in the main house.”

“Ten? I thought we decided on fifteen?” Collin asks.

“Ten.” I’m solid on the number. Any more than that and the seclusion we’re seeking will be lost.

Archer whistles low. “Zoe’s not going to like that.”

“How easy will it be to fit fifteen cabins throughout the forest?”

“It’s a lot more site work.”